Nursing Workforce

S.U.P.P.O.R.T. – Support, Understanding Provided by Parents/Others Reality Training
Dreyfus Health Foundation
Posted: 06-05-2008

Description
Family Support Orientation Program for families/significant others of first semester nursing students.
Limited support and understanding from family members/significant others due to lack of knowledge of requirements for nursing students to be successful in nursing courses adds to stress and contributes to failure in first semester. The need for family members/significant others support during first semester nursing courses can decrease stress and increase social support which will improve likelihood of success in first semester nursing courses. A two-three hour orientation program for family members/significant others was developed and implemented by faculty and the counselor/student navigator during the Spring semesters to: 1) aid family members/significant others in understanding the curriculum requirements of the nursing program; 2) assist family members/significant others in providing support through communication of understanding and recognition of student’s efforts to succeed; 3) provide family members/significant others with resources to assist in understanding and responding to behavioral signs of stress; 4) provide family members/significant others with opportunities to interact with faculty to find answers to individual questions or concerns.

The planning of the project consisted of:

•Pre and Post design of Student Perception of Family Members/Significant Others Survey for first semester nursing students
•Pre-test and Post-test design for family members/significant others of first semester nursing students
•Family Support Handbook development
•Orientation Program agenda development
•Letter of invitation development
•Orientation program evaluation tool design for family members/significant others

The implementation of the project consisted of:

•Letter of invitation was drafted and included in the admission letter to all first semester nursing students
•Pre-Survey administered to first semester nursing students during orientation
•Pre-test administered to family members/significant others at the beginning of the orientation program
•Orientation program presented over two-three hours by project leader, faculty member, and counselor/student navigator – Family Support Handbooks, Resource Magnets, educational handouts, pencils, and maps of DSU/City of Cleveland distributed
•Post-test administered to family members/significant others at the conclusion of the orientation program.
•Evaluation tool of orientation program administered at the conclusion of the orientation program.
•Administer the Post-Survey to these same nursing students during their last semester of nursing school

FINDINGS:

(See Poster and PowerPoint presentation provided in the right side of this page)

•Overall Mean Score of Pre-Test for Family Members/Significant Others [N=28] was 80.57
•Overall Mean Score of Post-Test for Family Members/Significant Others [N=29] was 90.65
An approximately 10% increase in overall mean post-test scores compared to the pre-test scores

Research Partners: Dr. Louise Seals, EdD, RN, CNE and Ms. Deidra Byas

Objectives
The overall goals for the PIN Project proposal were to: 1) Increase the support and knowledge of family members/significant others of first semester nursing students (Junior I level students) regarding requirements of the nursing program. 2) Improve the support network of nursing students within the first semester of nursing school.

Dates
Beginning: 03-2007
Ending:

How to Participate
An individual may receive information about the project by contacting Vicki Bingham at the above email and/or phone number.

How to Volunteer
S.U.P.P.O.R.T. is an ONGOING initiative. Here are some ways you cane get involved: The initiative has the following monetary and non-monetary needs. Those interested in contributing may contact Vicki Bingham at the above email and/or phone number. Non-monetary Resources: •Communication – letters of invitations to family members/significant others; email and phone calls by family members/significant others to RSVP •Equipment/Supplies – computer, LCD, printer, copier, comb binder, Cleveland/DSU maps, pencils, handouts •Human – two (2) faculty members and the Counselor/Student Navigator •Physical space – classroom •Technology – computer, LCD Monetary Resources: •Supplies – copying paper, card stock, combs, and magnets •Other - food

Partners
Dreyfus Health Foundation